I was surprised by Hu Sixi's patience. He listened to my rambling for over half an hour when I first went to Molu Village, yet he didn't get annoyed. Instead, he asked several questions, particularly about how I obtained the Hu Kui Seal and if I acquired anything else at the same time. His inquiries were incredibly detailed.
"I didn't get anything else. At the time, I offended an old ghost and was chased so relentlessly that I had nowhere to run and no place to hide. Escaping alive felt like a blessing. As for the Hu Kui Seal, it was an unexpected bonus. I don't really know its specific functions. If you know, could you perhaps reveal a little?" I put on a fawning expression, hoping to pry some information out of Hu Sixi. I wanted to know what he planned to do after obtaining the Hu Kui Seal.
My account was eighty percent true and twenty percent false. The only thing I concealed was my visit to the Five Kings Mansion in the Half-Yin Realm, as I suspected he wanted to know if someone was manipulating the Half-Yin Realm and who the real person in charge was.
After hearing my statement, Hu Sixi remained silent for a long time. He simply stared at me, as if trying to catch me in a lie. He didn't realize that most of what I said was true. Even if he went to Molu Village to verify, he wouldn't find any inconsistencies. As for the twenty percent falsehood, only I knew about it, so how could he possibly detect a flaw?
I smiled, looking at him with an expression of sincerity, betraying no hint of deception.
"Good, the questions are finished. You may leave now," Hu Sixi suddenly said.
"I can leave?" I blinked, looking at him, somewhat disbelieving. Was it really that easy to let me go?
"Third Grandfather, we can't let him go! This fellow killed Hu Biao. How can we let him go so easily? Even if we are to let him go, we must capture that little snake and bring it into the sect, as part of my Hu family's lineage."
When Hu Yuan spoke of Bai Ling'er, his eyes scanned her repeatedly. If Bai Ling'er couldn't defeat Hu Sixi, and I hadn't become his hostage, Bai Ling'er's fiery temper would have long since caused her to lash out and beat Hu Yuan.
One couldn't entirely blame Hu Yuan for his lustful thoughts. Firstly, the guy was truly lecherous. Secondly, Bai Ling'er, in her human form, was not only pure but also possessed a hint of allure. She was more like the White Lady from the 'New Legend of White Lady' in the '98 version, except much younger.
*Slap—*
A crisp slap echoed. Hu Yuan clutched his face, looking at Hu Sixi in confusion. As the young master of the Hu family and the future leader of the Wild Immortal Sect, he was practically law within the sect. Up to this point, not even Hu Dejin had ever hit him. Now, to be struck in front of an outsider was a complete disgrace to the Hu family.
Hu Sixi acted as if he hadn't seen Hu Yuan's extremely displeased expression and directly admonished him, "The Hu family is the orthodox lineage of Wild Immortals. How can you harbor such wicked thoughts? This slap is a warning to you. Do not let outsiders influence your state of mind. Do you understand?"
Under Hu Sixi's stern gaze, Hu Yuan nodded reluctantly, "I understand. But Third Grandfather, according to the sect's rules, she..."
"The sect's rules must naturally be enforced, otherwise, the Wild Immortal Sect would fall into chaos."
I suddenly recalled something Huang San had said: in the Northeast, besides the Hu family, there were no other wild immortals capable of transforming into human form. This was because the Hu family, the Wild Immortal Sect, had a rule that any wild immortal transforming into human form must join the Wild Immortal Sect for easier management. As for wild immortals who hadn't transformed, they still needed the Hu family's consent to establish a hall. In other words, those who transformed into human form had to join the Wild Immortal Sect controlled by the Hu family, and those who hadn't transformed also had to join. There was no other choice unless they didn't want their cultivation to progress or to obtain more incense offerings.
Thinking of this, my expression changed drastically. I turned and yelled at Bai Ling'er, "Ling'er, run quickly! This old fellow wants to capture you and take you back to the Wild Immortal Sect."
I opened my mouth wide, but despite my best efforts, no sound came out.
"Kid, stop struggling. You've offended the Hu family, how could you possibly escape so easily?" Hu Sixi's voice sounded in my ear. I instinctively looked back and saw a thumb-thick, chopstick-long, pitch-black snake with a dark complexion coiled on my shoulder, flicking its tongue at me. A thread of the same color as its body was strangling my neck. Without a doubt, this little snake was the culprit.
At this moment, I didn't care if it was venomous. The most important thing was for Bai Ling'er to run quickly and not be captured by this old man, Hu Sixi. I couldn't even imagine the consequences.
However, Hu Sixi was faster than me. Before I could make a move, he lightly touched my lower back. Instantly, I felt a chilling energy surge into my body. Consequently, my internal Xuan Yang True Qi and Ghost Eyes became unusable. The small black snake on my shoulder had also vanished.
"You've sealed me?" I opened my mouth. Although no words came out, Hu Sixi understood what I meant.
"From now on, you'll just be an ordinary person. That way, you might cause less trouble."
Hu Sixi's words almost made me explode with anger. What did he mean by "cause less trouble"? All the skills I had painstakingly acquired, enduring countless hardships to become an Yin Gua Master, were gone just like that, thanks to him. I had become an ordinary person.
This old man was too ruthless! He hadn't just cut off my escape route; he had also intercepted my means of livelihood. This was truly wicked!
The thought of not being able to earn money, and the need for money for my master, meant my father would be pushed to the brink of death. My eyes glared at Hu Sixi, seeing him looking at Bai Ling'er. Without a second thought, I bit down on his thigh.
However, before I could bite him, my head was met with a heavy kick. "You little brat, do you really think we Hu family members are easy to deal with? I wasn't satisfied with serving you earlier, let's continue."
"What are you doing? Let him go immediately! Didn't you say you'd let him go once he answered your questions? How can you go back on your word?" Even if Bai Ling'er was slow to react, seeing Hu Yuan beating me again, she realized something had changed.
"This kid was dishonest and dared to deceive me with false words. I'm merely disciplining him on behalf of his elders. Since you can't stand to see it, shall I also discipline you on behalf of your elders?" Before Hu Sixi could finish the word 'good,' he had already flown into the air, his speed being three parts faster than when he was chasing the great demon earlier.
Seeing Bai Ling'er still standing there, dazed and seemingly contemplating how to retort or come to my rescue, I felt an immense sense of urgency. I cursed inwardly, "You idiot, why aren't you running? This old man is after you. Hurry and hide, don't let him catch you."
Just as I finished cursing, I saw Bai Ling'er twist her body and transform into her white snake form. Like a shooting star, she vanished from sight in an instant. By the time Hu Sixi flew to her position, Bai Ling'er was long gone. At the same time, Bai Ling'er's voice echoed in my mind.
"Big idiot, be careful. I'm going home to find Zhang Dabiao and figure out how to save you."
It was only then that I realized I had forgotten about our spiritual contract. I quickly replied to her, "Don't even think about saving me. They can't do anything to me. If possible, just hide for a while." I didn't receive a reply, so I didn't know if she had heard me or not.
"She runs fast. She vanished in the blink of an eye. I'll have to ask Old Ancestor Chang about when such an outstanding disciple emerged."
After beating me up again, Hu Yuan spat on the ground and asked, "Third Grandfather, what about this little brat?"
"Since I promised not to kill him, I will naturally let him go. Am I going to kill him?" Hu Sixi seemed somewhat dejected that he hadn't captured Bai Ling'er. It was truly embarrassing to be outrun by a weaker opponent.
"This kid dared to extort our Hu family and killed Hu Biao. If we don't teach him a lesson, it will tarnish our Hu family's reputation. I suggest we throw him directly into Beishan Mining Town. This way, he'll be taught a lesson, and it won't look like we're bullying the weak. What do you think, Third Grandfather?"
Hu Sixi glanced at Hu Yuan, then at me, and nodded, agreeing with Hu Yuan's suggestion.
I glared at Hu Sixi. If looks could kill, he would have died countless times over. I felt my body lift into the air and fly rapidly towards Beishan Mining Town. I could only curse them in my heart, calling them a pair of scoundrels.
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